09 November 2012

Sepia Saturday 151: Mern Hopkins, Telephone Operator

Mountain States Telephone Company was formed in 1911, about the same time this photograph was taken of Grand Lake, Colorado. About 40 years later, Mern Hopkins, an operator for Mountain States, was assigned to work in Grand Lake. Nestled high in the Colorado Rockies, Grand Lake was a tourist destination. Residents and visitors a enjoyed outdoor pursuits in the daytime and entertainment and dancing at night. In the photograph below, Mern is sporting a cast having recently broken her leg skiing.

Grand Lake was a small town then and remains so today. Mern told stories
of working as an operator directing calls. Those placing the calls
rarely gave their names relying on the operator's memory of their voice
or location. Frequently they asked to be connected using only first
names!

The young women who worked the switch boards were rarely at a loss for companionship. In the 1950s the Colorado-Big Thompson Project brought scores of young men to area to complete the project. Among them was Mern's future husband, Chet Warwick. For more on the happy couple, see The Honeymoon Hitch.

For more posts inspired by the photograph below, connect with Sepia Saturday 151 (no switch board required). For those interested in learning more about what Mern's job as an operator was like, see Wendy's excellent description at Sepia Saturday Smooth Operator.

Thinking back the last time I remember an operator controlled call was at the end of the 1950s when I was at St Andrews University, There was no chance there of operators knowing who you were although one also knew the number I wanted when I told her the town.Grand post, Liz.

That must have been such a fun place to work! And I love how people could just call, without identifying themselves, and ask to be connected to someone by their first name. I can just hear that conversation now, "Hi, can you connect me to Patty?" "Of course, Sally, one moment please." Classic!

I am amazed at how many this week have relatives who worked as operators, but no photos of them at work, wouldn't have been thought of I'm sure. But there are many interesting stories recalling those working women. And that is a nice huge snow pile, a reminder that it will be back all too soon if not already in some parts.

I LOVE the idea that operators were THAT familiar with their clientele. And that office looks cozy, given the size of the house.I hate telephones, especially when I have to call a customer services number, and I get connected to a center halfway around the world. Between his/her accent and mine, there is NO understanding each other!!:D~HUGZ